WW South prepared to go distance

Ever since Wheaton Warrenville South made the first of 22 playoff football appearances in 1988, the Tigers have enjoyed a significant advantage.

“We've been spoiled,” coach Ron Muhitch said.

Translated, the Tigers never have traveled a major distance for a playoff road game. In fact their longest road trip has been to Champaign for the 2006, 2007 and 2009 state title games.

That changes this weekend as WW South (12-0) heads to deep downstate Illinois to play Belleville East (10-2) in the Class 7A semifinals at 5 p.m. today.

The 600-mile round-trip bus ride is a first for the Tigers, who have grown accustomed to home cooking during their decades of playoff appearances.

“As one of the top seeds through the years, we've been fortunate that we've had a lot of home games,” Muhitch said. “But we knew this was a possibility this season.”

In the Tigers' 79th playoff game this is by far the longest distance they've traveled. Champaign is about 150 miles from Wheaton. Normal, where the program won four state titles, is about 130 miles away.

Since 2004 the Tigers have played 24 non-championship playoff games. Eighteen have been at home, including 14 of their last 16.

The Tigers played East St. Louis in the semifinals last year and in 2007, but both games were at Red Grange Field.

The only long playoff bus ride Muhitch remembers is a 50-mile trip to Belvidere in 1989, a quarterfinal game the Tigers won in their second postseason appearance.

“I remember it like it was yesterday,” said Muhitch, defensive coordinator at the time. “The atmosphere was electric.”

Muhitch expects a similar atmosphere in Belleville, although he and others at WW South first had to work out the logistics of getting there.

“We've had so many big games here at home, this is going to be a lot different for us,” said WW South athletic director Mike Healy. “It's a lot to take care of, but it'll be fine.”

Because of the long distance there will be no fan buses. The team, however, will ride charter buses.

Leaving the school at 8 a.m. today, the Tigers planned a stop in Gillespie about two-thirds of the way to Belleville to eat and stretch their legs. They'll arrive at Belleville East in plenty of time for a pregame chalk talk.

The team won't be staying overnight. After the game they'll get back on the buses and head home to Wheaton.

The Tigers hope it'll end up being a warmup for the following weekend and a fourth trip to Champaign.

“I think the freshness and bringing something new to the experience is important,” Muhitch said. “We've talked about the change in routine and adapting, but I think this will be good for us. I like this kind of experience.”